The Asia-only Subaru XV GT Edition has been launched in Malaysia. This variant of the popular XV crossover represents the first collaboration between the Motor Image Group, Giken Co Ltd of Japan and Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi. Kobayashi-san is the former Chief Designer at Subaru Corporation and was responsible for the exterior designs of 12 Subaru production models, including the current WRX and WRX STI sport saloons, Impreza, Legacy and the original Outback, the world’s first sports utility wagon.
Meanwhile, Giken is an award-winning engineering and design company involved in the automotive and industrial equipment sectors. It holds numerous patents in Japan, South Korea and USA, and is an established global supplier of aero parts and other automotive components.
The XV GT Edition was first launched in Thailand and the Philippines, and will subsequently be introduced in markets covered by the Motor Image Group including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. TC Subaru, the Subaru distributor in Malaysia, expects the XV GT Edition to contribute significantly to its sales numbers. Incidentally, the XV GT Edition was named ‘Most Exciting New Product’ at the Bangkok International Motor Show in March.
Priced at RM130,788 (on the road without insurance), the XV GT Edition sits above the XV 2.0i (RM118k) and XV 2.0i-P (RM125k). It features an aerokit designed in Japan specifically for Motor Image, and includes a front bumper lip extension with integrated canards, side skirts, rear roof spoiler and rear bumper extension. Complementing the aerokit on is bespoke GT Edition 17″ alloy wheels.
In addition to the existing reverse camera system, the XV GT Edition includes a dual side-view monitor system for easy parking and manouevering in narrow spaces. This system is engineered in Taiwan for Motor Image.
Inside, you get leather upholstery and carpeting reminiscent of European grand tourers. Other standard kit for the GT Edition is similar to the XV 2.0i-P including steering responsive headlights, X-Mode, Active Torque Vectoring, aluminium pedals, automatic rain-sensing wipers, dual zone air-conditioning, and high-grade multi-function display.
Essentially, the additional RM6k over the XV 2.0i-P gets you a body kit, wheels, leather seats and two additional cameras.
“The Subaru XV GT Edition is exclusively designed for Asia. Giken and Kobayashi-san share our enthusiasm for design and creating fun and exciting products. The response in Thailand and the Philippines was very encouraging, having injected excitement in those markets, I hope our Malaysian customers will be delighted by the new Subaru XV GT Edition.” said Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Ltd.
The Subaru XV GT Edition is on display at the Subaru Petaling Jaya showroom and will be at all Subaru showrooms in Malaysia from 16 May 2019.
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Keyword: Subaru XV GT Edition Launched In Malaysia
